Berry seek redemption against Milton-Ulladulla

By
PATRICK FAHY

THE Berry Magpies will be hoping to get their sixth consecutive win when they host Milton-Ulladulla on Sunday.

THEY may be on a season high after collecting their fifth consecutive win, but the Berry Magpies are still reeling from their round five loss to the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs.

While they are the form team of the competition at the moment, Magpies coach Nathan Benney said they have not forgotten their loss to the Bulldogs and are very keen to get revenge this weekend.

In a slow start to the season, the Magpies were competitive in most of their games, but struggled to go on with it and get the two points.

The height of their frustration came in their loss to the Bulldogs, when they let an 18-4 lead slip, to eventually be beaten 20-18.

But they are now in much better head space, following their 28-22 win over Kiama last week, and Benney feels they have really turned a corner since last time they played the Bulldogs.

“There were times earlier in the season, where with 15 minutes to go, we were sitting in front comfortably and sides have come back at us and we’ve fallen to pieces,” Benney said.

“You always feel a little bit nervous and think ‘I hope this isn’t going to happen again’ but I think we’re a totally different side than we were at the beginning of the season and I think that showed against Kiama.

“Earlier in the season, we probably would’ve rolled over and lost that game.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve said we need to learn how to play 80 minutes, but I feel like over the last few weeks we have been doing that.”

Benney thought their win against the Knights came down to their attitude and is very happy with the position they are in.

“That’s five in a row for us now and to knock off a top three side, that just makes us know we’re a real contender in this competition,” he said.

“To have two of our players not be able to play that second half and to still be able to grind it out, was just testament to our attitude and I can’t speak highly enough of the boys,” he added.

CHANGE UP: Blake Harris-Davis has been in good form for Berry in the number one jersey, with the Magpies having won five in a row since his move to fullback. Photo: PATRICK FAHY

The players were without were Blake Dryden, who hurt his ankle and Lloyd Sharpe, who has been battling an ongoing shoulder injury.

They are likely to be without both of them for the clash with the Bulldogs.

While they are both key players, Benney is confident they can continue their winning ways.

“We’re very keen to redeem ourselves after they knocked us over down there last time,” he said.

“We had that game sold up until the last 10 or 15 minutes and then they took it out of our hands.

“So we’re keen to redeem ourselves in front of our home crowd and to win six in a row, would be fantastic.”